Zandra

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Janet Hatch will be awarding a $15 BN/Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Click on "read more" below to read an excerpt or sign up for the GIVEAWAY.  

In this truly inspiring memoir, Janet Hatch shares her compelling story of raising her strong-willed daughter who, at age eleven, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. 

From the beginning of her life, Zandra experienced being different as a result of dietary restrictions, but nothing would prepare her for the tumultuous feelings that Zandra's diagnosis would bring. Janet's story chronicles the day-to-day life of raising a child through the teen years and into young adulthood, while reconciling her own insecurities.

 

After experiencing complications and additional illnesses from diabetes, Zandra's life became uncertain and bleak. When she learned of the death of her friend from diabetes, she began to spiral downward. This is a love story between a mother and daughter and demonstrates that although the bond may be challenged, it was created to endure. From travelling to Iceland in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association to receiving her beloved diabetic alert dog, Cinnamon, this story is one that will encourage all those who love a child, to look beyond fear and see beauty in every challenge.

read an excerpt...

“What’s the reason for your visit?” The admitting nurse at our tiny local hospital was staring at me impatiently while my eleven-year-old daughter, Zandra, shuffled nervously at my side.

“She’s showing signs of type 1 diabetes,” I explained, the words sounding unbelievable as I said them out loud.

“Well, we’ll see,” the nurse huffed in frustration. “We don’t appreciate people looking up “Doctor Google” before they get here; that’s the job of the actual doctor.” She tapped heavily on her keyboard while processing the paperwork. “We don’t have time for everyone who thinks something is wrong because they looked it up on the internet.”

Normally I would be upset at being administered a tongue-lashing, but this time I was too worried about Zandra. I wanted my theory to be wrong, and I’d take a curt retort any day over being right this time.

After spending what felt like several hours in the waiting room, the doctor finally appeared. He commented on Zandra’s appearance. He noted the dark circles under her eyes, her underweight frame and pallid colour. He immediately ordered a blood requisition, and within a half hour he returned to give us her diagnosis. “Her blood sugars are extremely elevated, and she has ketones in her urine,” he explained. “I’m sorry to have to tell you this, but she has type 1 diabetes.”

about Janet Hatch...

JANET HATCH is a mother of four who lives in Camrose, Alberta. She is passionate about using her experience of raising her diabetic daughter to support parents and caregivers through the emotional twists and turns of what can be a difficult journey of having a child with a serious illness. She is a lover of animals and enjoys spending time in nature with her dog, Axel.

  

WEBSITE - https://janethatch.com/

 INSTAGRAM - https://www.instagram.com/janethatch/

 GOODREADS - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20823094.Janet_Hatch

  

PURCHASE LINKS Zandra: My Daughter, Diabetes, and Lessons in Love

 AMAZON.COM - https://amazon.com/dp/0228837022

AMAZON.CA - https://amazon.ca/dp/0228837022

AMAZON KINDLE - https://amazon.com/dp/B08L9RFCLN

BOOKSHOP - https://bookshop.org/books/zandra-my-daughter-diabetes-and-lessons-in-love/9780228837022

INDIGO CHAPTERS - https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/zandra-my-daughter-diabetes-and/9780228837022-item.html

BARNES & NOBLE - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/zandra-janet-hatch/1137927622

BOOK DEPOSITORY - https://www.bookdepository.com/Zandra-Janet-Hatch/9780228837022

APPLE IBOOKS - https://books.apple.com/us/book/zandra-my-daughter-diabetes-and-lessons-in-love/id1536973152

NOTE: This book will be free during the tour.

more personal "stuff" about Janet Hatch...

Does this book have a special meaning to you? i.e. where you found the idea, its symbolism, its meaning, who you dedicated it to, what made you want to write it?

My book, “Zandra: My Daughter, Diabetes and Lessons in Love” has very special meaning to me. My oldest child was diagnosed with diabetes ten years ago and her diagnosis catapulted us into a world we knew nothing of. We had to learn to understand what was happening with her body and to balance life and medications in such a way that she could live. Insulin is only a treatment and by no means a cure, and so often we’ve been dealt with close calls. I know that there are many parents who have had to learn to let go of fear and live in the moment – never knowing what’s around the corner. My book was written to support all those parents who are and will be, taking each day as it comes, grateful for the journey to be called mom.

Where do you get your storylines from?

The storylines in my book come from the many incredible experiences I’ve had. For good or for bad, they’ve been blessings in my life; allowing me to go deeper and find hope in places I never knew I could. These storylines include adventures with Zandra to Iceland to raise funds for diabetes, travelling to eastern Canada to receive her diabetic alert dog, playing sport and travelling away to attend university. Everyday events took, and continue to take, much planning and ability to navigate. 

Was this book easier or more difficult to write than others?  Why?

This book is my first published piece, however it isn’t my first piece of writing. I never imagined prior to picking up my pen in early 2020, that I would write a nonfiction book. The stories in this book are so near to my heart, that the words came forth easily and flowed with intensity as to reach each reader where they needed them in their hearts.

Give us a picture of where you write, where you compose these words…is it Starbucks, a den, a garden…we want to know your inner sanctum?

What a great question! For me, the space I write in reflects the heart within the book. I write in my home office, where my desk faces a large picture window looking out to my garden. I have a very private yard with several large trees and shrubs and bird feeders. Robins and blue jays often visit me as I work away at my desk. Behind me sits a large old burgundy chair with an ottoman and numerous shelves full of books. My office is painted in a muted blue-green colour called “inner peace” with patterned floor-length curtains and white furniture. For me it feels like a combination between old world and cape cod. 

And finally, of course…was there any specific event or circumstance that made you want to be a writer?

I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. I always gravitated toward characters that were authors in books, movies and TV shows, as well as always having been inspired by the written word. I recall being excited to head to our local library to meet the authors of my favourite books and author readings at school. Right now I’m doing a book study from the Chronicles of Narnia with my youngest son. He’s only eleven, but he’s having as much fun as me!